Air Jordan 9 (IX):

About Air Jordan 9 (IX)

The Air Jordan 9 was released in 1993 shortly following the announcement of Jordan’s retirement. On October 6th 1993, Jordan gave the basketball world a shock when he announced his retirement from the NBA. This was just one day before training camp and it was not what anyone had expected at this time. The greatest basketball player of all time retiring at the age of 30. A decision probably affected by the fact that his father was murdered in North Carolina in the summer of 1993 just before he won his third championship. The shoe being released was plain and sturdy and was the first model that Michael did not wear in an NBA seasonal game (due to the retirement). The sole had lots of details and a large 23 was stitched at the back of the shoe. As Michael had placed the basketball on the curb he decided to take on the game of baseball. A special cleated version of the IX’s was made and helped him in his Birmingham Barons baseball career. The Air Jordan’s had not disappeared from the courts though. Known as player samples there were Air Jordan IX’s being produced with not only #23 on the back, but with individual numbers for players such as Kendall Gill (#13), and Mitch Richmond (#2).

In 1992-1993 when Tinker Hatfield and Nike started working on the Air Jordan 9, Michael Jordan was in Asia to promote for Nike. Tinker was really influenced by Japanese design. There is a lot of features on the shoe that you may not know which came from the Japanese culture. Here is a comment from Tinker on the Air Jordan IX: “The Air Jordan IX represented the globalization of the Air Jordan brand name. Everybody around the world wanted to be like Mike. Take a close look at the soles of the shoes, we designed the different languages around the world that describes the sporting spirit of Michael Jordan and what he has done for the world of sports.” On the back of the Air Jordan 9 you will see a “Rising Sun” with the Jumpman logo. On the shoe it self there are words in different languages that best represents Michael Jordan. When asked what shoe should be on the statue of Michael Jordan in front of the United Center in Chicago, Tinker said the Air Jordan IX, because the shoe represented MJ being a “global superstar”. The Jordan 9 came equipped with dynamic-Fit inner bootie, encapsulated Air-Sole unit (forefoot), large volume Air-Sole unit (heel), polyurethane midsole and “one-pull” lacing system. The first model of the Air Jordan 9 released in 1993, and a total of four models came out that year. In 2002 four more Air Jordan IX were released, and the set price was $125.00. Two models released of the Air Jordan IX lows selling for $115.00. In 2002-2003 an Air Jordan IX Cleat was made (they came in Metal cleats and MCS 3/4).